President Bola Tinubu’s administration has listed Nigeria’s Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale in Switzerland, following its replacement with a newly acquired Airbus A330 aircraft for presidential duties.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of government spending and growing public calls for transparency in the management of the presidential air fleet.

According to Controller, an aircraft listing website, the BBJ — purchased in 2005 under former president Olusegun Obasanjo — is currently undergoing inspections at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, where it is being prepared for sale.

The same firm was involved in facilitating the acquisition of the new Airbus jet.

The Boeing jet, which has served as Nigeria’s primary presidential aircraft for nearly two decades, has logged 3,821 flight hours and completed 1,881 landings since delivery.

With a five-zone cabin layout, the aircraft is configured to carry 33 passengers and eight crew members.

Amenities include a VIP bedroom with an ensuite shower, a private office, a conference area, and separate first-class and business-class cabins.

The aircraft also features Ka-band Wi-Fi connectivity and advanced avionics systems such as ADS-B Out, CPDLC, and FANS 1/A.

Despite a partial refurbishment in July 2024 — which included the completion of C1-C2 inspections, carpet replacement, and refurbishment of first-class seats — the government opted to retire the jet due to concerns over cost and safety.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, defended the decision, saying the aircraft had become increasingly expensive to maintain and had shown signs of mechanical fatigue. He said a malfunction during a recent trip to Saudi Arabia raised further concerns about its airworthiness.

In July 2024, the government took delivery of an Airbus ACJ330-200, registered as 5N-FGA, to replace the Boeing BBJ.

The refurbished aircraft, originally repossessed before being customised, includes a luxury suite, office space, and both first-class and economy seating.